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“My god, I love it!” K-pop girl group songs to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is just one of three holidays celebrating relationships. On February 14, it’s customary for women to give gifts to their male partners. In that spirit, here are ten songs from female K-pop artists to get you in the spirit.
- “What is Love?” Twice
Kicking off this list is the song that made me fall in love with this group. “How could it be as sweet as candy? How is it like flying in the sky?” The nine members of Twice want to know, so they explore different films including La La Land, The Princess Diaries, Romeo + Juliet and and Ghost, among others, to try and figure it out! My favorite part? They take this journey without the help of any male actors, which could add a sapphic or friendship element depending on the viewer. Many young girls across the globe learn about romance from music, literature or films, and Twice tell that story perfectly with this bubbly and adorable track.
2. “After School” Weeekly
When I say this song is addictive, I mean it. A love song about hanging out with your friends after school ends, the seven members of Weeekly (including former member Shin Jiyoon) ride skateboards and enjoy the fleeting moments that come with being young and in love. It just so happens that, sometimes, your first love is one you find with your friends. If you’re spending today with your besties, put this song on blast and tag them in your social media posts. You won’t want to forget the looks on your faces.
“We melt into each other, you feel like another me rather than a friend/I’m flying on my shaking heart..” 3. “Hype Boy” NewJeans
Rookie girl group and overnight sensation NewJeans took the world by storm with this song last year. For a while, it seemed like everyone was covering this song, including one viral video where the members of boy groups ONF and SF9 covered this in their military fatigues, and for good reason. With its bouncy yet simple production and lyrics like “you’re my chemical hype boy,” it would have been a crime for this song not to hit. The NewJeans girls aren’t “just looking for some fun,” they want something real and long-lasting. Could you be their hype boy?
“I just want you, call my phone right now
I just wanna hear, ‘You’re mine…’”4. “Senorita” (G)-IDLE
Not to be confused with the VAV song of the same name, “Senorita” is a Latin-flavored song of seduction. What else is there to do if a the girls of (G)-IDLE (including former member Soojin) can’t stop exchanging steamy glances handsome young man? The tension is palpable throughout the songs, including lyrics like “a bit different, a little naughtier” and “you don’t need to know my name,” this is not a love that’s meant to last. However, it could be a damn good time for all parties involved. Subtle yet sexy, this classic (G)-IDLE track won’t leave you wanting more.
“I fell in love with you, I don’t know if it is true” 5. “Heart Attack” Chuu
An absolute banger if there ever was one, former LOONA member Chuu brought her all to this funky track about confessing your feelings. It’s as stressful as it is exciting, Chuu perfectly captures the hurricane of emotions that come with your first serious crush. Complete with sweet vocals, energetic production and a key change for the final chorus, “Heart Attack” is an especially adorable gift to girls who love girls. Add this to your next playlist if you want to smile for the rest of today.
“Even my hidden secrets that only I knew, that mood that i wanted to tell you all about…” 6. “Bicycle” Chungha
A spicier pick for this list, Chungha isn’t as coy as the previous entry by (G)-IDLE. She makes it very clear what she wants and how she likes it, and she’s going to get it. As confident as she is sexy, “Bicycle” is a fantastic song to get you ready for a steamier night in.
“Filthy gazes, don’t mind them; Act crazy and step on it, let’s go on a ride…” 7. “Dreams Come True” aespa
A cover of the classic SES track, aespa gives it a modern spin with their stunning vocals and otherwordly visuals. With a modern trap-heavy beat and their trademark attitude, these girls exude the joy that comes with your crush liking you back.
“I’ll be happy to be with you, no more sad songs…” 8. “Loco” Itzy
Sometimes, falling in love can feel like you’re going crazy. The five girls of Itzy know this and put those feelings into words over an appropriately manic beat. Get ready to have this song hits stuck in your head every time you think of that special someone who just drives you up the wall.
“To put it simply, I feel like I was born to love ya…” 9. “Love Dive” IVE
Pun intended, IVE dove headfirst into their first comeback “Love Dive.” Equal parts sassy and smitten, the breakout group expresses the frustration and fun of playing hard to get. Whether it’s a game of cat and mouse or a staring contest, the girls aren’t ready give up or blink first. It may be “so good it’s bad,” but the song is just all-around good.
“This is enough, a chasing game; Can’t stand this attraction and curiosity…” 10. “Gee” Girls Generation
Closing this list is a K-pop classic from the legends themselves, Girls Generation. An early track in their catalogue, “Gee” is a girlish look at your first crush. Almost childlike in its giddiness, Girls Generation perfectly captures that feeling in bright pink bubblegum. A throwback in more ways than one, revisit this track and get swept up in those feelings. Bonus points to the music video for including a pre-debut cameo from SHINee’s Minho!
“My beating heart it just thuds and thuds, I can’t even sleep…” Whether you’re spending today with your friends, planning a romantic date with your partner or pining from afar, K-pop girl groups have got you covered. Which one best fits your Valentine’s Day?
Stream all of these songs on The In-Crowd Spotify playlist below!
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To your forever valentine: bops for your besties
We all have one or a few people in our lives who are our rocks. You can talk to them about anything, have some of your favorite memories with them and when your love life is down, they bring you back up. Your forever Valentines are your best friends. They are the ones who are by your side no matter what. They have been there since day one and will be by your side until the very end. While some other Valentine’s come and go, your friends are here to stay. These songs talk about the special relationship between friends and are the perfect songs to blast this Valentine’s Day.
- “Wannabe” by The Spice Girls
This is the staple song about friendship and most likely the first song to come to mind when you think about songs about friendship. This Spice Girls classic talks about how if anyone wants to date your friend, they have to get the approval of the whole crew. This is the motto between me and my best friend, and probably friends groups everywhere. So to all hopeful valentines out there, I hope you have the approval of all the friends or else you got some work to do.
“Make it last forever, friendship never ends…” - “History” by One Direction
This One Direction track talks about all the memories and history that is between you and your best friends. With the line “you and me got a whole lot of history,” hitting home with those friend groups that have been around for years. All those late nights, trips, nights out, crazy stories and more making up the history of you and those friends closest to you. Those will be the memories that you will cherish and even as people move away and don’t see one another as much, your history will stick with you.
“We could be the greatest team that the world has ever seen…” - “My Friends Over You” by New Found Glory
While this song is not directly about friendship, it still has the underlying theme of picking your friends over anyone else. A relationship goes south or you just realized you rather be with your friends over anyone else. So, if you are going through a breakup or have some realizations about someone in your love life this Valentine’s Day, feel free to blast this song all day long.
“Though you swear that you are true, I’d still pick my friends over you…” - “Another Night On Mars” by The Maine
One of the best tracks by The Maine in my opinion. “Another Night On Mars” is a song dedicated directly to friends. Those friends who make you feel less alone, make you feel human and allow you to be 100% yourself, with the line “the ones who make me feel less alien” bringing that idea home. These friends are your happy place and when you are with them you feel like you are at home. No matter what life throws at you, they are by your side.
“I do not think I would be here if not for them…” - “I’m Only Me When I’m With You” by Taylor Swift
We got an OG Taylor Swift song with this one. This song can be interpreted to be about anyone in your life who you can be completely yourself around. The person who brings out the goofy side in you and is your other half. You are happy when they are happy and if they are not happy, then you are not happy. You do not want to go through life without them which, for many people, is their best friend. When you are with your best friend, everything is perfect and you can let your guards down. This song summarizes that feeling perfectly.
“Everything I need is right here by my side…” - “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman
This track from the classic Pixar movie Toy Story is the perfect addition to any playlist of friendship songs. Not only will this song take you and your best friend back to your childhoods, it will also remind each of you that you got a friend in each other even when you are far apart or life gets hard. You may meet other people, but no one will care for one another in the same way. Get together with your bestie and let out your inner child with this classic song.
“There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you…” - “Bitch Back” by Olivia O’Brien featuring FLETCHER
If you have had a friend go through a break-up you know exactly what this track is talking about. This song chronicles the aftermath of the break-up and showing your friend a good time. You hype them up, remember all the crazy antics you two get up to, and talk about how bad that person was for you. The iconic duo is back and you two will be unstoppable. So, if you got a friend going through a break-up this Valentine’s Day, blast this song and get into some trouble and live it up just like you two know how to do.
“Bitch, you my only plus one ’cause being single’s way more fun…” - “Birthday Girl” by Lizzo
You can never go wrong with a Lizzo song. This song from her 2022 album Special is the perfect addition to Valentine’s Day and birthday playlists. This song brings about feelings of reflection, hyping up your friend and just overall love of your friends. This track encourages you to celebrate everyday, show yourself off and be your best friend’s number one hype person. You started at the bottom together and grew together. They stuck by your side, you stuck by them and that is what matters. When you have been through tough times together, you got to celebrate the good times. So put this track on and live it up, even if it is not your birthday.
“I started from the bottom with my hoes, love y’all so fuckin’ much…” - “My Best Friend” by Weezer
Next on the list is just a straightforward song about your best friend being the person you always go to. With the line “you’re my best friend/ And I love you” emphasizing your appreciation and love for your best friend. You need your best friend because they understand you and make you happy. It takes all the ideas and themes from the other songs and just puts them in the song.
“You are such a blessing and I won’t be messing with the one thing that brings light to all my darkness…” - “My Girlfriends Are My Boyfriend” By Demi Lovato featuring Saweetie
This song may just be the perfect song for this playlist. The lines “my girlfriends are my boyfriend/ain’t nobody know me better” sums up this song. It is all about finding love within your friends, spoiling them and not needing anyone else. It talks about how you don’t need to dress up and impress them, they won’t make you upset or cause problems. You all will be partying until the end of time, you all our soulmates and you are grateful to them. A group of friends is better than one person, so your best friends are your perfect valentines.
“My girlfriends are my boyfriend, but we’re never gonna break up…” This Valentine’s day, get together with your best friends, put on your favorite songs, (maybe some of these) and live it up. They are your ride or die crew. They love you for you, they got your back and the memories you all share will stick with you forever.
Stream all of these songs on The In-Crowd Spotify playlist below!
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Tomorrow X Together reach new heights with tempting concept album
Have Peter Pan’s lost boys found their way through the garden of Eden?
On January 27, Tomorrow X Together released their sixth mini-album The Name Chapter: Temptation, a bold new venture for the group in terms of themes, concept and aesthetic. Their previous album, Minisode 2: Thursday’s Child, explored the dark feelings and emotions that can follow someone’s first breakup. In this installment, the group is faced with potentially-negative temptation for the very first time. Drawing inspiration from classic stories including Peter Pan and Chunhyangga, the group face a fresh set of difficult choices with charm and confidence.
The album starts strong with the best song on the record, “Devil By the Window.” Sung entirely in English, “Devil By the Window” features spare production that skates a razor-thin line between dreamlike and nightmarish. Its dark bass line and finger snaps reminiscent of “bad guy” by Billie Eilish are incredible decisions not just tonally, but functionally in the way it keeps the focus on the lyrics. This track was the perfect choice for an album opener, setting the dark tone and high stakes with lyrics like “waste, waste away in the gutter with me/no, I can’t tell what is fake in my reality” and referring to the nefariously sweet influence as “a wolf in sheep clothes.” Energetic and addicting with some of TXT’s most ambitious choreography to date, “Devil By the Window” invites you in for a dark ride you won’t want to escape.
It also happens to tie perfectly into “Sugar Rush Ride,” Temptation‘s title track. Energetic guitar licks set a deceptively bright tone, a summer jam containing lyrics that explain why temptation in any form can be so difficult to resist. In the second verse, Hueningkai and Taehyun sing, “You’re so addictive, my veins full of sweets/the forbidden lines slowly fade away this daze-like anemia/but I prefer it that way/every cell under my skin becomes more sensitive.” Additionally, the use of words like “swallow” and “feast” seem to suggest a near gluttonous desire to take in as much as physically possible. It’s a darker direction for the group that feels like a natural progression rather than a hard left turn into something more mature or transparently sexy. Paired with Soobin’s gorgeous falsetto in the refrain and bright percussion, “Sugar Rush Ride” is a standout track and a perfect choice to represent the album.
Unfortunately, “Happy Fools” is where the album stumbles. The track is elevated by Coi Leray’s guest feature which, intentional or not, gives voice to the temptation that leads TXT to choose rest over being “a honeybee that only works.” Her voice blends particularly well with Beomgyu and Yeonjun on the last chorus, but it’s hampered by the song’s repetitive refrain and the song’s overall lackluster production. The lyrics play perfectly into the album’s concept and story, describing the guilty pleasure that comes with lazing around, but “Happy Fools” is easily Temptation‘s weakest point.
Temptation regains footing with “Tinnitus (wanna be a rock),” a track that is both an existential crisis and the hangover after a night of heavy drinking. Like a thunderstorm on the beach, the song’s darkly tropical production illuminates the tone regardless if you know how the Korean translates to English. More than anything, the narrators are fully aware of their limitations with lyrics like, “Wanna live a new life, but I’m a bit lazy/what is my existence? Give me an answer.” Complete with simple but earworm-y production and well-communicated desperation in lyrics and tone, the song’s only shortcoming is the length. At only two minutes and thirty-seven seconds, Temptation‘s penultimate track isn’t given enough room to fully appreciate what it’s trying to do. Even another thirty seconds or so would have given the song a bit more room to breathe, but it’s overall a fantastic addition to the record.
Closing out the album is, fittingly enough, “Farewell, Neverland.” Its production is spare and organic, primarily consisting of Spanish guitar and light percussion. Not one second feels empty or wasted though, especially with lyrics like “everything that was beautiful, I know it’s not true/Trying to spit out that cruel lie to the paradises of irresponsible dreams” neatly wrapping this chapter up in a bow. A bittersweet and final farewell to childhood, “Farewell, Neverland” closes out this part of the story while leaving plenty of room for the beginning of the next.
Tomorrow X Together followed the second star to the right and flew straight on into a more mature concept that stays true not only to the group’s storyline, but the concept they’ve stuck with since debut. Questionable production choices keep this album from the 5/5 it should have been, but it is another strong entry into the group’s catalogue.
RATING: 3.8/5
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Bite-Sized Beats: Waterparks goes “REAL SUPER DARK” on new track
Waterparks have dropped another track from their upcoming album INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The new track “REAL SUPER DARK” is high energy, in your face and showcases what Waterparks does best. It is packed with electronic effects, soaring guitars and driving drums to have you drawn in from the first note.
It opens with a bang with electronic effects that grab your attention and a recording of someone saying, “Let me speak to your manager.” Then, this track is on the move. Awsten Knight comes in hard with “Oh you mean Benji?” and he is on roll, opening with screaming, in your face vocals.
This track has you wrapped in from start to finish. From the different vocal effects to driving drums, repetitive electronic effects and rough, loud vocals, this track will keep you listening to catch every little detail. Knight utilizes his rougher, louder vocals on this track especially during the chorus. The chorus opens with him screaming “everyone is freaking me out” and continues this same intense vocal for most of the chorus. It’s contrasted with moments of fast-paced lyrics and vocals on verses and also moments of quiet, but still have a slight edge on other verses. The track takes you on a journey through the mind of Knight, getting a look into his inner thoughts. With lines like “it gets real super dark around the edge of my heart,” “I’m alienated/way overrated” and “everybody’s proud of me/but when they try and tell me/volumes muted like they’re sound asleep.” It is giving a peek into what his life and mind are like in the spotlight.
“REAL SUPER DARK” is chock full of awesome and unique electronic effects, layering added in effects like Knight saying, “Otto I’m sorry, stop!” and other little moments you can catch if you listen closely. It is full of dynamics: it is loud and in your face, then backs down and is back up again in a second. However, the drums and guitar are still strong and hold their own. Lead guitarist Geoff Wigington and drummer Otto Wood are shining, just like on every Waterparks track.
Wood holds down this chorus with the strong, repetitive drum line and Wigington’s guitar line keeps the song moving and has its moments when it shines. While Waterparks are known to add in extra effects when they can to create unique sounds on their tracks, strong instrumentals are the base of the track and the other elements just make it even better.
“REAL SUPER DARK” packs a lot in just over two minutes. It will have you coming back for more listens to make sure you caught everything and will for sure be one to blast while driving or to just jam in your room.
Waterparks’ fifth studio album INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY is due out on April 14 from Fueled By Ramen. It can be pre-saved on all major music streaming platforms.
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New Måneskin album not (entirely) worth the RUSH!
Italian rock band Måneskin have returned with their new album RUSH!
Måneskin rose to worldwide stardom after winning Euovision in 2021. The group gained traction on social media quickly, scoring television appearances, performing on Saturday Night Live and even opening for The Rolling Stones. Their high energy and risk taking performances and outfits had everyone talking. Needless to say, this album was highly anticipated by not only fans of the band, but those who are curious about what else this group has to offer.
While RUSH! is not a disappointing album, it did not blow me away. The album is well produced, has great moments and showcases the band’s abilities. However, the album’s downfall comes from a lack of diversity in sound, length of the album and organization of the tracks.
The first half of the album is where it drags. It is packed with high energy songs, but none of the songs fully stand out. The choruses are catchy, especially on the second track “GOSSIP” featuring Tom Morello. The instruments, especially the bass, sound fantastic and drive the songs. However, at times the guitar and drum lines can get repetitive, causing you to lose interest fast. One song blends into the next. I find myself listening for something different on each track, unique guitar line or different vocal technique, but not a single song wows me or draws me in.
Not helping that fact is the fourth song “BLA BLA BLA,” a lyrically simple song which feels a bit too long. It is full of many lines where the words “dumb”, “ah”, and “gaga,” among others, repeat over and over again. It does not help the case of the album dragging and will most likely not appeal to a casual listener. While it is not a bad song overall, it does not bring anything special. The song does nothing to elevate the album. It feels like a filler song on album that already feels too long.
The sixth track “GASOLINE” is when we get something unique sonically. It has a cool bass and drum intro and the vocals bring something different and sound fantastic. It used dynamics in instrumentals and vocals and sounds a bit edgier, bringing a breath of fresh air. It has a chorus that makes you want to scream along. While it still fits the tone of the rest of the album, it allows for the listener to hear what else the group has to bring to the table.
After a few more similar sounding songs, we begin to see a shift in the album. The tracks where I feel the band shines. It is almost like they hit the halfway point and decided to shift. The sounds that stand out are all stacked onto the back half of the album, making the first half almost not worth listening to. Track nine, “KOOL KIDS” and beyond is where I feel the best moments on RUSH! can be found. The tracks bring a diversity instrumentally, vocally, structurally, and just overall are the best tracks on the album. The album begins to move and draws you in. The songs become more exciting, and begin to turn your overall opinion of the album around.
“KOOL KIDS” will have a crowd chanting the lyrics. The driving bass line and format of chorus is bound to be a crowd favorite with a different, rougher vocal that catches you off guard. The structure of the song is more shorter, choppy lines. Making these lines easy to chant and sing along. The repeating of “kool kids” in the chorus sounds like chant of a rebellion of those who want to go against what is “normal”. This song reminds me of old school punk rock. That nostalgic feel and rougher, edgier instrumental provides a clean transition into the rest of the album.
“IF NOT FOR YOU” brings an acoustic and slower moment. The lyrics feel open and honest, talking about someone who makes life worth living. The vocal has almost a crying sound to it. Frontman Damiano David uses dynamics within lines, starting off loud before trailing off to almost a whisper. It sounds almost like he is just singing straight to someone. It is a simple song, not abundance of effects or over the top instrumentals. It just lets the lyrics and emotion tell the story and bring the song to life. At the very end it has a slight moment where it gets loud, but then goes right back down again and fades out, a beautiful moment in my opinion. This track is a favorite for me, and one of the best moments on RUSH!
“MARK CHAPMAN”, “LA FINE” and “IL DONO DELLA VITA” are sung in Italian and in my opinion, are three of the best tracks. The first two songs are back to the high energy style of the previous songs, but with a unique sound. “LA FINE” has a more angry tone and rap style lyrics, another vibe that we have not heard on the previous tracks. “MARK CHAPMAN” feels almost sassy and edgy, with moments where the instrumentals take control and slowly build with the vocal to create attention-grabbing moments. The intro has a fun guitar line that then brings in drums and bass to finish the sound before the vocals just dive in.
“IL DONO DELLA VITA” may just be my favorite track on the album. The vocals are powerful and the pain and sadness behind the lyrics are evident. But, if you listen closely, you pick up on an undertone of hope. While he may be singing about struggles in life, he is hopeful and determined to overcome challenges. Life may be hard now, but it will get better. Everything from guitar, to drums, to vocal balance and blend very well. The dynamics on the track are perfect and help bring the song to life. The guitar feels powerful, edgy and just soars. It compliments the vocals perfectly and shines during the solo. The outro is quiet, simple and ties the song together.
Closing the album is “THE LONELIEST,” another stand out track. We hear Måneskin go back to more of an acoustic sound at the start and build into a powerful chorus to close out the album. The vocals shine on the track, bringing emotion that can be heard from start to finish. You can hear a bit of pain behind the vocals that lead into the loud and powerful chorus. The opening verses a more quiet, slowly drawing the listener in. The vocal technique used bring out the feeling of hopelessness and sadness. It is slower and lines drag out a bit. Then it picks up a bit right before the chorus, like he is building up to a big realization. When the chorus kicks in the song soars, vocally and instrumentally. The pain and emotion builds and all comes through on the chorus. You are drawn in and listening intently and letting the song encapsulate you from start to finish. The drums are used to drive the lyrics and keep the song moving. Adding in a cool guitar effect to give it some edge in the bridge and the track is the big moment that this album needed.
Overall, RUSH! by Måneskin is an album that has moments that stand out and showcase their abilities, but needed more moments to show a diversity in instrumentally, vocally and lyrically. The first half of the album drags and does not contain many songs that will have me coming back, whereas the second half is stacked with tracks that will bring me back for more listens. The catchy choruses and high energy beats are the main focuses on the album, but the moments where they slowed down and brought emotion stand out.
Rush! by Måneskin was released on January 20, 2023 and can be found on all music streaming platforms.
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Tomorrow X Together tempt fans with limited time hotline ahead of album release
Tomorrow X Together just made MOA’s phone lines a lot sweeter.
On January 20, Tomorrow X Together launched the Sugar Line, a hotline specially for fans in preparation for their upcoming album The Name Chapter: Temptation. In the introductory video posted to the TXT OFFICIAL account, they remind MOA of the upcoming album before encouraging them to “follow instructions” to access “personal messages” the group recorded for the hotline.
The opening message, presented by the entire group, promises hints about the upcoming album before instructing the caller to press a number corresponding to each members’ individual messages: 1 for Soobin, 2 for Yeonjun, 3 for Beomgyu, 4 for Taehyun and 5 for Hueningkai. Each message provides more information about the upcoming album, including themes and the whistle hook from title track “Sugar Rush Ride.”
The track was released on January 19 “This album talks about how you are seduced by the sweetness of instant gratification,” Soobin said in his recording. “Our first track, ‘Devil By the Window,’ demonstrates how vulnerable we are to temptation.”
Yeonjun used his message to promote the title track “Sugar Rush Ride.”
“Every track sounds awesome, but especially our title track ‘Sugar Rush Ride’ is full of temptation,” he said. “Look forward to it.”
Beomgyu spoke briefly about “Happy Fools,” the third track on the album and a collaboration with Coi Leray. He specifically spoke about Tomorrow X Together’s contributions to the song.
“All the members participated in this track just for you, MOA,” he said.
Coi Leray shows love for Tomorrow X Together ahead of their collaboration. Taehyun used his time to talk about the fourth track, “Tinnitus (Wanna Be a Rock),” which he co-wrote.
“I participated in the process of writing the lyrics for this song [sic],” Taehyun said. “Look forward to our album.”
Hueningkai not only expressed gratitude for fans’ patience, but promoted “Farewell, Neverland” in addition to the title track. More than that, he
“Thanks for waiting for us,” he said. “This is a concept album, so hear all tracks in order to understand the full story.”
Tomorrow X Together released a concept trailer for the album on December 2, 2022. At the end of each message, the selected member encourages the caller to listen to the other messages or press 0 to pre-save the album and opt in to receive text messages and updates from the band.
The release of the Sugar Line directly follows the announcement of their upcoming tour ACT: SWEET MIRAGE, set to kick off in Seoul on March 25 and 26.
Earlier this month, Tomorrow X Together released four batches of concept photos: Daydream, Nightmare, Farewell and Lullaby.
With a bold direction and less than a week left before the album’s release, Tomorrow X Together are aiming straight for the second star to the right. Fans will soon find out if it will take them straight on til morning.
The Name Chapter: Temptation is scheduled to release on January 27. It’s currently available to pre-save and pre-order on all major platforms and wherever K-pop albums are sold.
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Bite-Sized Beats: Fall Out Boy “just about snapped” on new single
Fall Out Boy built it, so overcast kids have come.
On January 18, Fall Out Boy released their brand new single “Love From the Other Side.” This marked not only their first single in five years, but the opening salvo for their upcoming album So Much (For) Stardust.
“Love From the Other Side” is a return to form for Fall Out Boy, boasting incredibly strong lyrics from its opening line “model house life meltdown still a modern dream letdown” to the inevitably iconic “every lover’s got a little dagger in their hand.” Beginning with a jaunty piano riff and a grand orchestra, it doesn’t take long for the instrumental to fade and launch into sprinting drums and a dancing guitar line that is no less cinematic. While the leadoff single from 2018’s Mania, “Young and Menace” felt like the an experiment, “Love From the Other Side” feels like the result of years resting and soul-searching. It’s refreshing, energetic and mature in a way that propels the band forward while staying painfully honest.
Unfortunately, this fantastic track and album announcement were accompanied by the announcement that guitarist Joe Trohman would be taking a hiatus from the band. Citing “rapidly deteriorated mental health” in a letter to fans, Trohman also expressed “great pride” in the new album and assured fans this is just a temporary break to prioritize his recovery.
“So, the question remains: Will I return to the fold? Absolutely, one-hundred percent.” This also offers a possible explanation as to why Trohman spends most of the music video with a large raccoon head. In the video’s story, he is “transformed into a raccoon” by a witch in a bedtime story a much-older-looking Pete Wentz reads to his granddaughter.
If this is just the opening credits, So Much (For) Stardust is set to be one hell of a film.
So Much (For Stardust) is scheduled for release on March 24. Check out the music video for “Love From the Other Side” below!
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Music festival round-up 2023: four major festivals announce dates and line-ups
The new year is here and the cold weather has everyone looking forward to sunny weather and all the fun activities it brings. For music lovers, that means music festivals. Many festivals, like When We Were Young Fest and Adjacent, already announced their line-ups at the end of 2022. However, the new year brought many festivals announcing their dates and line-ups. While they bring excitement, they can also be overwhelming.
To help keep it simple, we have compiled details for the latest festivals to publish their lineups: Coachella, Sonic Temple, Bonnaroo and Boston Calling.
One of the most well-known music festivals dropped their 2023 line-up and dates. It will once again take place two consecutive weekends in April with the same line-up each weekend.
Dates:
Weekend One: April 14-16
Weekend Two: April 21-23
Location: Empire Polo Club – Indio, California
Line-up:
Headliners: Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, Frank Ocean and Calvin Harris.
Other notable acts include Gorillaz, ROSALÍA, Bjӧrk, Charlie XCX, Dominick Fike, Boygenius, YUNGBLUD, Latto, WILLOW, Knocked Loose, Muna, Blondie and The Kid Laroi.
Tickets and Other Information: Available ticket packages, the full line-up, travel information, health and safety information, other activities going on during the festival and more can be found on the Coachella website. The festival is already reporting low availability for the first weekend and recommends looking into Weekend Two for purchasing tickets.
Previously known as Rock on the Range, this festival debuted its new moniker in 2019. After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio-based rock festival has returned.
Dates: May 25-28
Location: Historic Crew Stadium – Columbus, Ohio
Line-up:
Headliners: Tool, Godsmack, Avenged Sevenfold, Queens of the Stone Age, Kiss, Rob Zombie, Foo Fighters and Deftones.
Other notable acts include Beartooth, Bad Omens, I Prevail, Sleeping With Sirens, Badflower, Dayseeker, Senses Fail, The Pretty Reckless, Nova Twins and New Years Day
Tickets and Other Information: You can find information about full weekend tickets, single day tickets, parking and camping tickets and other information about the festival on the official Sonic Temple website.
Bonnaroo is a music and arts festival set on a 700-acre farm in Tennessee with a variety of music artists. The main venue stays open 24/7 and has acts that go on into the early hours of the morning.
Dates: June 15-18
Location: 700 acre farm – Manchester, Tennessee
Line-up:
Headliners: Zed’s Dead, Liquid Stranger, Kendrick Lamar, Odeza and Food Fighters.
Other notable acts include Portugal the Man, Noah Kahan, Rina Sawayama, Muna, Lil Nas X, Korn, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Sheryl Crow, The Band Camino, Yung Gravy, Paramore, Girl in Red, Hippo Campus and Peach Pit.
Tickets and Other Information: You can find the complete line-up, as well as ticket information, camping and parking information, local hotels, activities taking place during the festival, premium experiences information and more on the official Bonnaroo website,.
This Boston-based music festival returns! It debuted in 2023 and has a wide variety of music acts that play throughout the three day festival.
Dates: May 26-28
Location: Harvard Athletic Complex – Boston, Massachusetts
Line-up:
Headliners: Foo Fighters, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Lumineers, Alanis Morissette, Paramore and Queens of the Stone Age.
Other notable acts include Niall Horan, Chelsea Cutler, The National, Fletcher, The Aces, Loveless, Declan Mckenna, Bleachers, The Linda Lindas, Maren Morris and 070 Shake.
Tickets and Other Information: You can find information about ticket packages for the whole weekend and single day tickets on the official Boston Calling website. You can also find the full line-up, information about past festivals, information about getting to the festival and frequently asked questions.
Tickets for each of these festivals are on sale now. Each one varies in price and has different packages available to fit a variety of budgets and experiences for attendees.
These are only a few of the many festivals that are set to take place throughout the season. Several, like Riot Fest, have yet to announce details for this year, but will be sure to be just as stacked and exciting. Each festival has their own style, set up and overall atmosphere. With no shortage of festivals, there is a one that will be perfect for you no matter what you are looking for.
Which festival are you looking forward to most? Who would you most like to see? Let us know in the comments!
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Ateez promise salvation and “a new Eight” in latest comeback teaser
Just as one era ends, another begins.
On December 22, K-pop powerhouse Ateez released the prologue for their highly-anticipated comeback SPIN OFF: FROM THE WITNESS. It promises not only to continue the lore of their previous comeback THE WORLD EP1: MOVEMENT and its title track “Guerrilla,” but the lore begun from their 2019 release TREASURE EP2: Zero to One and its title track “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive).”
The lore surrounds a group of dark mirror versions of the Ateez members, known to fans as “Halateez,” clad in black clothes, masks and wide-brimmed hats. According to Suzy Gardner for Koreaboo, these characters “exist in a different dimension from ATEEZ, who exist in the real world.”
“The dimension that ‘Halateez’ is from is a dystopian society where feelings are prohibited and the government bans music,” Gardner wrote. “Through a time and dimension traveling hourglass, ‘Halateez’ can evade their government and put on music performances to remind their society what emotions are. ATEEZ’s lore essentially suggests that ‘Halateez’ are captured, and ATEEZ likely is trying to rescue them.”
Halateez have also shown up in the music videos for “Answer,” “Deja Vu” and numerous tour VCRs. (IMAGE SOURCE) Based on this latest teaser, it looks like the plot is about to thicken considerably. The video features a scarecrow-like effigy of one of the members of ‘Halateez’ between clips from previous music videos and members in various scenes of distress. A particularly interesting scene is of Seonghwa, who is stood in front of the effigy holding his arms out as he seems to blink in and out of reality.
Most intriguing is the titular prologue itself, which is interspersed through text at the bottom of the screen. Not only have “the people lost emotion,” but they have despaired as the world “lost gravity” itself.
“People did nothing but wait for ‘them’ to return,” the prologue continued. “All the while knowing that ‘they’ would never appear again. Amidst the desolated hope the great sound of a bell resonated through the air and a new Eight made their appearance.”
Could the ‘new Eight’ be referring to Ateez, Halateez or a third, yet-to-be revealed syndicate? What exactly did The Witness see? Until the album is released on December 30, fans can only speculate.
Are you looking forward to Ateez’s comeback? Check out the full video for “SPIN OFF: FROM THE WITNESS Prologue” below!
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OnlyOneOf announce 2023 tour with dates
For fans of OnlyOneOf, Christmas just came early.
On December 13, Studio PAV announced via Twitter that six-member K-pop group OnlyOneOf will embark on their first US tour Grand America. The group will begin their tour in Jersey City, NJ on March 31 and end in Los Angeles, CA on April 30, visiting nine cities overall. Cities from April 13 to April 28 have yet to be determined.
OnlyOneOf debuted as a seven-member group on May 28, 2019 with singles “Savanna” and “Time Leap.” Former member Love announced his departure from the group on August 2, 2021 due to personal reasons.
In addition to their Instinct Pt. 2 EP, OnlyOneOf have been releasing solo singles under the UndergrOund IdOl series, beginning, fittingly enough, with “begin” by Yoojung. Subsequent singles include “be free” by KB, “be mine” by Junji, “because” by Rie and “beat” by Mill. The first official teaser for the final single in the series, “beyOnd” by Nine, was posted on December 19.
Check out their latest group comeback “skinz” below! Will you be getting tickets when they go on sale?
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